Beyond the Paycheck: What Factors Define Career Success?

What factors define Career Success? I once asked this question to a group of graduates I was mentoring.

For some, it's standing at the top of a tall corporate ladder. For others, it's earning enough money to make ends meet. Yet, for others, Career Success is about having the flexibility to pursue other passions.

As someone who struggled to achieve career fulfillment, I can tell you that money and a lavish job title don't always equate to Career Success. For instance, there's no fulfillment when you're earning a fortune but don't feel comfortable around your peers.

The best thing is that anyone can attain career fulfillment. It's possible, even when it feels like you've hit a career roadblock.

So, what factors define Career Success? Read on as we spill the secrets to help you reach the success you deserve.

What Is Career Success?

Before we look at what factors define Career Success, let's define Career Success itself.

Career Success means experiencing financial health and work you enjoy while feeling fulfilled in your peer community and life choices.

You probably visualized a lot of things when reading this definition. Calling your clients from a cabin in the Alps? Or sitting in the corner office of a renowned company, with your nameplate on the door?

These are all fantasies that Career Success can make possible. Yet success is much more than money and reputation. It's about finding satisfaction in what you do for a living, whatever that may be.

We like using the analogy of building a house to explain what the path to Career Success looks like. You have to lay the foundation before moving on to the finer details.

The foundation of Career Success is the community around you. We're talking about Career Coaches, mentors, and peers. This community will be your team of architects, helping you lay the foundation for success.

You also need to build your house's four walls. This means expanding your skill sets and investing in lifelong learning. Finally, make your house a home by finding a career that suits your lifestyle, aspirations, dreams, and needs.

Download The 'What Is Career Success' E-Book

What Factors Define Career Success?

This is the best part, where we reveal the secret sauce to Career Success. You'll have attained success if you hit a combination of the following:

1 - Financial Health

Financial freedom opens up major opportunities to live your best life. But what does it mean? It means you have enough investments, savings, and cash to afford your desired lifestyle.

It also means you’ve built a nest egg that allows you to pursue your desired career or retire.

Good financial health matters in Career Success. We're not only talking about affording designer bags and luxury trips. We're talking about having the confidence to do what you want to do, guilt-free.

When you have enough money, you have the freedom to explore your passions and the comfort of feeling in control. For instance, you can make a Career Change and start a business without worrying about how you'll pay your rent. You can also pursue an extra career or a side hustle without worrying about the bills.

Plus, financial health gives you the stability to invest in yourself and your career. You can take Courses to stay relevant in your career field or attend career events for networking.

Unfortunately, attaining financial freedom is easier said than done. According to a Federal Reserve Board survey in 2021, only 39% of Americans are comfortable with their financial status.

A CNBC report shows that 63% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck. This statistic includes almost half of the 6-figure earners as rising prices continue to outpace wage gains. Those earning over $100,000 per year are not immune, as 49% of them are also living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Financial health, then, is more important than ever.

2 - Work You Enjoy

It's no surprise that Career Success relates to how you feel about your work. Research shows that when you enjoy your work, you're more productive, and motivated, and make fewer mistakes. You also show more commitment to your work and are likely to stay longer in your job.

How do you know you’re enjoying your career? It's simple.

Ask yourself questions like, Do I look forward to going to work every day?” or Am I passionate about the career path I'm on?” If you can answer yes to these questions, chances are you're already on the path to Career Success.

The problem comes when you dread going to work. If you hate your work, you can't achieve success. After all, where will you get the motivation to grow and achieve career milestones?

The power of a growth mindset for Career Success is also worth noting. Developing a growth mindset helps you feel more resilient and confident in your career. It also encourages an attitude of self-improvement, which is essential for career development.

With a growth mindset, you'll have the motivation to identify career opportunities and pursue career goals. This means expanding your skill sets and investing in lifelong learning. You'll also challenge yourself to grow by taking on more responsibilities and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

We understand that it's difficult to love your job sometimes. The statistics are there, showing that 50% of employees dislike their jobs. The dislike has a trickle-down impact, leading to high absenteeism, turnover, and other issues.

Don't hesitate to research different career paths if you hate your job. Ask yourself which career path could lead you to success. Try exploring career fields that involve your passions, skillsets, and aspirations.

3 - Fulfillment in Your Peer Community

Career Success is also contingent on the people you surround yourself with. These are the people in your career community, such as colleagues, your Career Coach, and mentors. You'll be better positioned to experience Career Success if those around you fuel you and help you grow.

Your career peers can inspire you, motivate you, and offer career advice. This can be invaluable when you're stuck and feeling lost.

Ask yourself these questions to evaluate your career community:

• Do they support you?
• Are there colleagues who challenge and encourage you?
• Do they motivate and inspire you?
• Do they help you grow in your profession?
• Do they make your career goals their mission too?

If the answers are yes, you're on your way to Career Success. A positive work environment where you feel heard and respected is invaluable for career development. But if the career community you find yourself in is toxic, it will be challenging to move forward.

Toxic work environments breed burnout and dissatisfaction. You'll experience burnout because you'll always be trying to prove yourself. You will also have little or no energy left to pursue career goals.

You can never feel fulfilled if those around you always put down your ideas. You'll experience career stagnation, making reaching career milestones more difficult.

4 - Fulfillment in Your Life Choices

The third pillar of Career Success is fulfillment in your life choices. When you're career-oriented, neglecting other parts of your life is common.

This is why Career Success isn't just about achieving career milestones. It's also about reaching fulfillment in other aspects of your life. Take stock of your career decisions and question whether they make sense in your life.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have the option to move up at work?
• Can you move to a new role or company?
• Do you have the work-life balance you need to prioritize your personal goals and needs?

The best career path should help you attain all this without feeling tied to a company. It should make it easy to keep your mental health in check. You'll be successful if you can balance your career and personal aspirations. That way, you'll set career goals that align with your personal needs.

Your career needs to fit into your life, and vice versa. It should make sense in the context of what you want out of life. If it doesn't, then chances are that Career Success is far away.

Our Best Career Success Advice

Now that you know what factors define Career Success, you might be wondering what it will take to get there. There's no one-size-fits-all career advice. However, these tips can help you on your career journey:

1 - Career Success Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Most people think Career Success is about achieving a certain milestone or title. This belief is misleading, as it can lead to career stagnation and dissatisfaction. For example, climbing the career ladder for the sake of career advancement won't guarantee success.

Career Success is a lifelong journey that takes unexpected twists and turns. Don't focus on one end goal within your career because it might not even exist.

Instead, go on an adventure and take advantage of every career opportunity that comes your way. In the end, Career Success will be an expression of the problems you’ve solved, skills you’ve developed, and lessons you’ve learned.

2 - A Strong Support Network Will Help You Thrive

Your career community will be vital for success. A strong career network can help propel your career forward and make it easier to reach career milestones. When you feel lost, they'll be there to help you navigate your career journey.

For instance, a Career Coach can help you create career goals and plans. Mentors can offer invaluable career advice, while colleagues can provide career insight. These resources are essential for Career Success, so make sure your career network is strong and reliable.

A strong career network will give you the tools and resources to learn, grow, and succeed. So, find a career support system that helps you develop into the career person you want to be. Think about career peers who challenge and inspire you.

3 - Embrace a Lifelong Learning Mindset

Learning is essential for Career Success. You can't move forward without pushing yourself to learn something new. The more you learn, the more you're preparing yourself to grow in the long run.

It doesn't matter if you're learning in an educational institution or through self-learning. From Workshops and Courses to internships and mentorships, look for any opportunity to expand your career knowledge.

Educate yourself and stay up-to-date with industry trends. Learning will help you move up in your career, become an expert in your field, and reach career milestones.

4 - Don’t Forget to Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

Setting career goals is an integral part of Career Success. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. This is a common goal-setting acronym known as S.M.A.R.T.

For instance, suppose you're interested in Career Success in tech. Your career goal shouldn't be to "work at a tech company." A S.M.A.R.T. goal would be "Apply to 7 Account Executive positions in the tech industry over the next 2 weeks.”

Your career goals should also give you a sense of direction and help you stay on track to success. Career goals will motivate you and help you focus your career energy in the right direction.

Start Your Career Success Journey With Uvaro

Career Success doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey that requires career planning, goal setting, and ongoing learning. With the right career network, a lifelong learning mindset, and S.M.A.R.T. goals in place, you're one step closer to success!

At Uvaro, we believe your career should fulfill you and motivate you to reach new heights. As a Career Success Company, we will help you build a fulfilling career through our flexible Courses. Our cohort-based learning will help you build a community to support your career journey.

We offer Courses, Workshops, and Career Coaching for leaders and reps. If you're ready to take your career to the next level, download our Career Success Catalog. You'll learn more about our core values and how we approach Career Success!

And that’s not all. Members who undertake Uvaro programs stay in touch with us throughout their careers. They can mentor you toward Career Success and help you achieve your dreams.